The precautions we use now with the old standby's, like xylene, 
would have been laughed at in the early days before the toxicity 
was known. I still don't assume that we know all we need to know 
on the old , Tried-and-True standbys. 
         I can only make a judgement based on the information  
quickly available to me, the MSDS's and the NFPA rating which is 
in agreement with OSHA and WHMIS.
         Since I can't completely trust the old or the new, I use the 
precautions necesary for the most toxic chemical I need in the 
situation ( fumehood , gloves , etc. whatever is called for) and then 
use the safest chemicals I can.   Thus , I hope , maximizing safety.
         
               Then , of course , I go  out to my car; inhaling fumes and 
risking my life on the road.  Such is life,
                                               Margaret






Date sent:      	Wed, 17 Jul 2002 14:48:27 -0500
From:           	Bruce Gapinski 
Subject:        	RE: Concerned about working with carcinogens
To:             	'Margaret Horne' , David.Petsch@med.va.gov
Copies to:      	histonet@pathology.swmed.edu

The problem I have with Clear-Rite is that one has no idea when the vapor
level is too high. Xylene may be health haz 2 and Clear-Rite is 1 but I feel
we're lured into a false sense of safety with Clear-Rite. What does too much
Clear -Rite smell like? NOTHING!
Bruce (I am not a rep, old school duffer) Gapinski

		-----Original Message-----
		From:	Margaret Horne [mailto:mhorne@Upei.CA]
		Sent:	Wednesday, July 17, 2002 8:40 AM
		To:	David.Petsch@med.va.gov
		Cc:	histonet@pathology.swmed.edu
		Subject:	Re: Concerned about working with carcinogens

		Instead of working with Xylene , we substitute Clear-Rite.
I'm told 
		that Xylene clears more quickly so I am careful not to rush
the 
		times,but we get good results.  
		           The Clear-Rite  is a mixture of alphatic
hydrocarbons.  It 
		has a health hazard index of 1 ( slightly hazarous). I still
wear 
		gloves and use it in the fume hood. Xylene has a health
hazard 
		index of 2 ( moderate hazard).

		          The supplier , if your interested , is :
		                               Somagen Diagnostics Inc.
		                               Edmonton , Alberta
		                               Fax: 1-780-438-6595


		          The manufacturer is Richard-allan Scienific
		                                        Kalamazoo , MI
		                                        1-800-522-7270


		      Hope this is helpful ,  Margaret
		Margaret Horne 
		Dept. of A&P,
		Atlantic Veterinary College, U.P.E.I.
		550 University Ave., Charlottetown,
		P.E.I.,  C1A 4P3 
		Canada
		

Margaret Horne 
Dept. of A&P,
Atlantic Veterinary College, U.P.E.I.
550 University Ave., Charlottetown,
P.E.I.,  C1A 4P3 
Canada